Happy Talk « Oscar Hammerstein II. Tomorrow Will Be A Better Day « Josh Rittenberg. There Is Always a Way Out « Morris Mchawia Mwavizo. Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake Cheesecake. Last week I got an email from a kind reader asking if I would consider developing a recipe for one of her favorite "factory-made" desserts. The minute I clicked the link she provided, I knew I wanted to make her cheesecake dreams come true. I had concerns about how this cake would translate to real world baking. No doubt it is mass-produced with industrial equipment since it is sold nationwide at a popular restaurant chain. I knew I would have to simplify each of the recipe's elements and keep the baking equipment simple. With its many layers, the recipe I came up with is time consuming, but it will not be difficult for the home baker to execute. One other thing. This cake weighs in excess of 10 lbs. Of course, the chocolate curls are optional, but just in case you want to make them I'm including a how-to video for them in this post.
Below are many of the steps illustrated in pictures. The recipe has notes that correspond with the numbered pictures. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Notes: Mocha Swirl Cookies. Sometimes you just need a cookie.And the occasional fairy tale. This past weekend I spent time with both. As a collector of the old sort of fairy tales, I can tell you they have a definite adult edge. Most aimed to teach children the consequences of bad behavior with scare tactics and not-so-happy endings. It's a far cry from the stories today that are meant to calm and lull children to sleep. I find them so interesting, comparatively. So, what goes with a grown-up fairy tale? An equally grown-up dark chocolate and coffee flavored cookie.
Hours later, the caramel bug bit me -again! Mocha Swirl Cookies Yield: 40 cookies [printable version] 3 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee (I used Starbucks' VIA) 2 oz. Sweet Caramel Frosting Yield: about 2 1/2 cups frosting [printable version] In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, cubed butter, milk and pinch of salt. This Is Who I Am When No One Is Looking | Penney's Palate.